UPDATED: Zafira written off - what should I expect to get from insurance?

chivers1977

On 22/9/07 I bought a silver 2002 51 reg Zafira Club 1.6 55k miles for £5295 in great condition - no scratches, interior perfect, new cam belt. On 14/12/07 it was written off (she is trying to say her light was green too?!? :mad:

After the excess of £210 is deducted, I am hoping to get around £5000. On autotrader it does appear that the price I paid was OK. Is this reasonable to expect for age etc taking into account MV less than 3 months ago.

Thanks in advance from a sore driver who has never been in an accident before - great timing eh?

withabix

Period of time you've owned the vehicle is irrelevant.

You will be offered the market value for the age/mileage/condition of the vehicle, however this is unlikely to be what you paid at a dealer, so you may well lose out by £500 - £1000, although having looked at Parkers, their value for a 40,000 mile example of a 2002/51 plate is £4320 maximum retail (ie main dealer price), so I would prepare yourself for a £1000-£1500 loss (including excess). This value seems to check out on Autotrader, where your spec/age/mileage vehicles appear for £3800-£4500.

Do you have the purchase receipt for the car? That might help you.

Never accept the first offer made by the insurer (unless it is a good one!)

chivers1977

yep have the receipt - we shall see! thanks

robby-01

you may be pleasently suprised at what your insurers offer you.I have had 3 total loss claims and been offered more than i was expecting each time.In the last instance i had a car stolen that was up for sale and recieved £300 more off the insurers than i had it advertised for.
hope it goes ok,

Altarf

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.u...rinsurance.htm

We want to see firms making a reasonable assessment of the car’s ‘market value’ – and then paying this amount. The ‘market value’ is the likely cost to the customer of buying a car as near as possibly identical to the one that has been stolen or damaged beyond economic repair.

vansboy

As mentioned already, several insurers ARE fair when they value & pay out! If you're fair with them!!

You've only had the vehicle a short time, got your paperwork, it's not a 'suspect' claim, so expect more or less what you paid for it.

& if it's got a full tank of fuel, ask for another £70 - I'm serious, they WILL pay it!

& also the surrender value of remaining tax, if you leave it on the car, when they take ownership.

Do make sure you chack & double check your paperwork, before handing over. V5 needs filling in accuratly, to stop you getting fines from not advising DVLA properlt.

& the vehicle being put back on the road.

Or cloned!

VB

chivers1977

Thank you. I bought from reputable independent dealer and have receipt etc. I have collected the road tax and there was 2/3 of a tank of petrol so will claim for that. I have SORNed the car in accordance with the insurance company's directions and all insurance/ V5/ other documents.

Lets wait and see. Diamond have been very slow so far.....

chivers1977

Right, they offered me Market Value £3,645.00
Less Excess £210
Settlement figure £3,435.00

They said to provide autotrader adverts within 40 miles. There is only one 2002 51 reg within 40 miles but has 45k miles instead of my 57k miles @ £4995. I travelled over 40 miles to buy the car as mostly motorway so only took an hr so have printed off other cars which are slightly further away or 02 plate as mine was a Jan 02 reg.....


46 miles away 2002 51 reg 47k miles £4995
32 miles away 2002 02 reg 52k miles £5295
46 miles away 2002 02 reg 51k miles £4995

The dealer I bought it from is well established reputable independent and fitted new cam belt and full service plus MOT and 3 months warranty. I want to be able to buy a car from the same standard of dealer rather than some bloke at the side of the road! There was 2/3 of a tank of unleaded. Am I too greedy to try for £4995 for the value minus the excess £210= 4785 or does the 10k miles / 2 months in registration make a massive difference in price.

Thank you for your help with this, I need to get as much money as possible to get a new car!!

thescouselander

chivers1977 wrote: »

Right, they offered me £3690 so valuing the car at £4000. They said to provide autotrader adverts within 40 miles. There is only one 2002 51 reg within 40 miles but has 45k miles instead of my 57k miles @ £4995. I travelled over 40 miles to buy the car as mostly motorway so only took an hr so have printed off other cars which are slightly further away or 02 plate as mine was a Jan 02 reg.....

46 miles away 2002 51 reg 47k miles £4995
32 miles away 2002 02 reg 52k miles £5295
46 miles away 2002 02 reg 51k miles £4995

The dealer I bought it from is well established reputable independent and fitted new cam belt and full service plus MOT and 3 months warranty. I want to be able to buy a car from the same standard of dealer rather than some bloke at the side of the road! There was 2/3 of a tank of unleaded. Am I too greedy to try for £4995 for the value minus the excess £210= 4785 or does the 10k miles / 2 months in registration make a massive difference in price.

Thank you for your help with this, I need to get as much money as possible to get a new car!!

My OH who used to work in motor insurance reckons the normal proceedure is to assess the vaule of a car based on the equivelent vehical as sold by a private seller (not a dealer).

chivers1977

I have updated my post re the offer as it was even less than I understood! The only cars available for their offer with less than 60k miles within their 40 mile zone are X and W regs from 2000/01!!!

stumpjumper

I've had a quick look at autorader ads for my area (sorry don't know where you live) and the insurance offer looks prettey much spot on for the model and mileage you quoted. Try pushing for as much as you can but I can't see you getting a huge amount more.